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international relationsSat, 10 Feb 2018 18:49:59 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngLewis on Policyhttps://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com
The Dynamics of War (A Reflection of the New War Thesis)https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2016/02/19/the-dynamics-of-war-a-reflection-of-the-new-war-thesis-2/
https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2016/02/19/the-dynamics-of-war-a-reflection-of-the-new-war-thesis-2/#respondFri, 19 Feb 2016 10:20:00 +0000http://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2016/02/19/the-dynamics-of-war-a-reflection-of-the-new-war-thesis-2/Lewis on Policy: Mary Kaldor in her book, “New and old wars” Violence in a global era 1999 wrote about the New War thesis which remarkable explains the changing paradigm of war in the 21st century moving forward. The nature of war in the world today differs greatly from those in the…]]>

Mary Kaldor in her book, “New and old wars” Violence in a global era 1999 wrote about the New War thesis which remarkable explains the changing paradigm of war in the 21st century moving forward. The nature of war in the world today differs greatly from those in the 20th, 19th and 18th centuries in terms of ACTORS, whereby old wars were fought mainly by state soldiers and state agents but the actors of the current wars in the world today range from local militias, warlords, and drug barons, terrorists where identity politics is the driving factor. Also modern wars have differed from old ones in terms of MOTIVE; whereby in old wars the motives and goals of war were mainly territorial acquisition but in modern wars the motive involves the re-shaping the social fabric or changing how thing are done in society…

]]>https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2016/02/19/the-dynamics-of-war-a-reflection-of-the-new-war-thesis-2/feed/0lewisndichuThe Dynamics of War (A Reflection of the New War Thesis)https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2016/02/03/the-dynamics-of-war-a-reflection-of-the-new-war-thesis/
https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2016/02/03/the-dynamics-of-war-a-reflection-of-the-new-war-thesis/#commentsWed, 03 Feb 2016 13:40:21 +0000http://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/?p=55Mary Kaldor in her book, “New and old wars” Violence in a global era 1999 wrote about the New War thesis which remarkable explains the changing paradigm of war in the 21st century moving forward. The nature of war in the world today differs greatly from those in the 20th, 19th and 18th centuries in terms of ACTORS, whereby old wars were fought mainly by state soldiers and state agents but the actors of the current wars in the world today range from local militias, warlords, and drug barons, terrorists where identity politics is the driving factor. Also modern wars have differed from old ones in terms of MOTIVE; whereby in old wars the motives and goals of war were mainly territorial acquisition but in modern wars the motive involves the re-shaping the social fabric or changing how thing are done in society. Last but not list today’s wars differ from old ones in terms of the METHODS used in war; whereby in old wars opponents met at the battle field and interests were achieved through military warfare. But modern methods of warfare are different, women and children are the main targets, population displacement where identity politics is the key motive, acts of civil disobedience and social media are used to fuel propaganda and promote extreme ideologies.

photo from fragilestates.org

So does this analysis explain the current war hot spots in the world today?

SYRIA

Syria for example remarkably presents a war like no other; with geopolitical implication, now making it difficult to determine the future of the Middle East. Elements of the new war thesis include: ACTORS. Those fighting in Syria today include Russia fighting against the enemies of Bashar Assad, France, the United States, and Hezbollah from Lebanon known to be vast in guerilla warfare, the Islamic State who intends to be building a state through Iron and Blood. The METHODS of this encounter includes air fire, women and children are the main targets, population displacement and transformation of social fabric with an intention of trying to change how things are done. The MOTIVES behind these actors range from identity politics, resource interventionist and the creation of an Islamic state.

The South China Sea

The situation in South China Sea presents a maritime dispute that might shape the future geopolitics of East Asia. China is tied in a maritime dispute with her neighbours (Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam) that might shape the geopolitics of East Asia. This has brought tension due to the aggressive nature of China’s assertions of territorial claim. The region has been referred to be rich in oil, fish and an excellent strategic point for international security. Now this has driven the United States against china; while the Chinese neighbours view china as a threat therefore seeking help from the U.S. International law should used as a tool manage this disputes while the association for the South East Asia nation should be at the fore front in ensuring that the problems in that region are accorded home remedy rather than foreign. As the conflict is interstate, factors of the new war thesis come in to play for example the Actors to the conflict are interest driven.

The D.R.C conflict

The conflict in D.R.C presents an epicenter of Africa most deadly conflict. It has even been referred as the world war of Africa thus presenting geopolitical challenges for the continent. The characteristic of the new war thesis among others include a whole range of Actors that is deferent governments, international organizations, multinational cooperation’s, local militias; all driven by deferent interests. BUT one aspect that stands out is the Longevity of the conflict. It has persisted for a very long time yet the conflict has the highest number of peace keepers and the most expensive United Nations peacekeeping mission in the world. The reason behind this persistence in such conflicts is that the Actors such conflicts gain politically and economically from the perpetration of violence itself rather than the actual wining.

Carl Von Clausewitz wrote that war is merely a continuation of policy by any means; war has featured in the world since its beginning but the nature and the dynamic of war has been changing over time fueled by globalization, boundaries have today became porous while interests have become global.

]]>https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2016/02/03/the-dynamics-of-war-a-reflection-of-the-new-war-thesis/feed/1lewisndichuphoto from fragilestates.orgAfrica’s emancipationhttps://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/africas-emancipation-2/
https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/africas-emancipation-2/#respondFri, 15 Jan 2016 21:59:10 +0000http://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/?p=49Source: Africa’s emancipation
]]>https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/africas-emancipation-2/feed/0lewisndichu2015: The Migration Crisis in Europe: the story of the yearhttps://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/2015-the-migration-crisis-in-europe-the-story-of-the-year/
https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/2015-the-migration-crisis-in-europe-the-story-of-the-year/#respondThu, 31 Dec 2015 15:48:24 +0000http://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/?p=472015 will go down as an important year not only in the field of international relations and diplomacy but also in other arenas from economics and commerce, innovations technology and public relations. There is no doubt that the year 2015 has seen remarkable impacts both positive and negative; in Africa and elsewhere.
The events of 2015 in the field of international relations and diplomacy are a handful, ranging from the migrations crisis in Europe, Greece and her debt crisis, Russia in Ukraine, corruption in Fifa, China’s role in the South China Sea, the Iran nuclear deal, the climate change talks in Paris, Russia interventions in Syria, ISIS and the dynamics of terrorism, the political crisis in Burundi, the escalating ethnic conflict in central Africa Republic, and the pope’s visit in Africa etc.

image courtesy batanqamedia,com

But what struck me the most in 2015 was the migrations crisis Europe; that is, this crisis presented a unique refugee crisis than ever before, hundreds of thousands of people from the Middle East and North Africa fleeing their countries for humanitarian and economic purposes. The migration crisis presented Europe with a serious problem of accommodating and providing hope for the migrants.
Deferent countries in Europe have dealt with the issue differently despite the EU commission proposal that each country in the European Union should adopt refuges based on a quota system. Some countries are building razor walls; other will not accommodate Muslims, while others like German have turned out to be the preferred destination for migrants. But now after the French terrorist attacks the debate is that the migrants present a great security threat to Europe. So will the international community provide safe heavens for refugees in their home countries?
Surely the refugees/ migrants are fleeing their home countries because of the fear of persecution based on religion, ethnicity and drought which threatens food and water security. But the end game adds up to what is the solution for Syria and the stability in the Arab world, is this the time that the so called Arab league got involved because of their better understanding of the region? Or are we going to witness an escalation of the migrations crisis in 2016?
The death of the young Syrian boy Alan Kurdi who drowned when a boat trying to cross from Turkey to Greece capsized presents the most emotional and heartbreaking image of the year 2015, the image represents the plight of other Syrian citizens. How many more will drown in 2016? Let it not happen ever again. I am optimistic that something could be done moving forward in 2016.

happy new year to you all

]]>https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/2015-the-migration-crisis-in-europe-the-story-of-the-year/feed/0lewisndichuimage courtesy batanqamedia/comThe African culture and Heritage; the role of UNSECOhttps://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/11/21/the-african-culture-and-heritage-the-role-of-unseco-2/
https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/11/21/the-african-culture-and-heritage-the-role-of-unseco-2/#respondSat, 21 Nov 2015 11:53:59 +0000http://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/?p=41Source: The African culture and Heritage; the role of UNSECO
]]>https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/11/21/the-african-culture-and-heritage-the-role-of-unseco-2/feed/0lewisndichuThe African culture and Heritage; the role of UNSECOhttps://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/the-african-culture-and-heritage-the-role-of-unseco/
https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/the-african-culture-and-heritage-the-role-of-unseco/#commentsWed, 11 Nov 2015 14:08:02 +0000http://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/?p=37Whenever I watch the video “Nsnyuka” By blue 3 of Uganda I cannot stop to imagine the diversity and uniqueness of the Africa culture. This uniqueness Africa has earned great reputation all over the world; indeed Africa has a lot to offer, in terms of culture diversity and heritage. It is this culture uniqueness that’s binds the Africa populace, the diverse nature of African communities provides a great spot for knowledge, tourism entertainment and much more. The ethnic configuration its self provides a basis for unity and solidarity, various community have played a role in the promotions of community development through communal welfare in Africa.
The Buganda kingdom is one the largest culture cores in Africa others include the Ashanti of Ghana and the Zulu of South Africa, these ethnic groups presents enclaves that play a major role in the promotion the African culture. Deferent from decentralizations which give ethnic communities autonomy and a platform for self-determination, the Buganda kingdom is precisely about promotion of the cultural heritage.
In the Buganda parliament the major debate is about tourism, where the minister of tourism is always takes the centre stage, indeed the beauty of the African culture and its wonderful people provides a great opportunity for Africa, if only we capitalized on it, from food, the African music, and fashion; is not only unique but a blessing.
In that case I cannot fail to mention; that cultural and heritage has faced numerous threats especially in these modern times, in May 2001 the Taliban destroyed the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan, the so called the Islamic state has inherited the same today ISIS is plundering cultural site, tombs, razing shrines and destroying domes dedicated for religious preservation; with aim of replacing culture with some form of doctrine/ideology.
Thanks to UNESCO, there is hope. UNESCO is and has been on the fore front to protect, preserve and promote cultural heritage all over the world and at the same time played an important role to fight the idea of cultural cleansing, now let us all join in and protect the only thing that’s binds us together as one. “Cultural diversity and heritage”

]]>https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/the-african-culture-and-heritage-the-role-of-unseco/feed/1lewisndichublog 3blog imageEurope: is this a refugee crisis, migration crisis or are they asylum seekershttps://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/11/09/europe-is-this-a-refugee-crisis-migration-crisis-or-are-they-asylum-seekers/
https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/11/09/europe-is-this-a-refugee-crisis-migration-crisis-or-are-they-asylum-seekers/#respondMon, 09 Nov 2015 16:09:53 +0000http://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/?p=33The situation in Europe today is confusing and puzzling the elephant in the room is that do we refer to them as refugees, migrants or asylum seekers. Let as face it, this are people running away from war ton countries, from persecution hence due to a well founded fear and in that case they automatically become asylum seekers according to international Refugee law. But refugee itself is a status and one must qualify to become a refugee as per policies set by the UNHCR.

from the Middle East to Europe

The most interesting part is that the refuges/migrants/ asylum seekers want to go to specific countries and not others to be more specific Germany and Austria that automatically changes it to whole dynamic to some form of hybrid migrants whose goal is to seek economic well being rather than protections.
The conflict in the Middle East has created a unique migration crisis than ever before. But why? This part of the world has been in conflict before but the influx of refugees/migrants or asylum seekers is huge than ever before. The other question is why are these refugees/migrants or asylum seekers so focused to move to Europe rather than countries in East Asia, Japan or Thailand for instance?
Countries in Europe have dealt with this issue individually; different countries have adapted different strategies to reduce the risk, offer protection as well as accommodation with little consideration to International Refugee law. Hungary is building Razors walls to prevent refugees/migrants/asylum seekers from coming in. Transit countries like Turkey; have been on the forefront to accommodate Refugees
Some countries in Europe and the U.S. the accommodation of refugees/migrants/asylum seekers is based on remuneration, such that accommodation is based on a certain number, very different from countries like Kenyan or Jordan who take all of them.
I think there are very many lessons that countries all over the world should seek to learn from the situation in Europe today, how are your migration laws for instances? What polices should be adopted in respect to porous borders. In two years time every country in the East Africa community a part from Tanzania and Burundi are expected to hold election, including South Sudan whose membership is pending. Is it time that the East African Community came up with a plan to address the movement of people? with respect that election have become too sensitive!

]]>https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/11/09/europe-is-this-a-refugee-crisis-migration-crisis-or-are-they-asylum-seekers/feed/0lewisndichufrom the Middle East to Europe”Presidency for Life”https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/10/01/presidency-for-life/
https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/10/01/presidency-for-life/#respondThu, 01 Oct 2015 16:34:33 +0000http://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/?p=30The Pre-Arab world is characterized by presidents who had stayed in power for decades, the likes of Muammar Gaddafi reigned for forty two years since 1969, Ben Ali of Tunisia ruled for twenty four years and of course Hosni Mubarak who stayed in office for thirty years since he ascended power in 1981. These countries were mainly police states, many scholars referring to them as Fascist regimes. It is clear that these leaders wanted to stay in office forever hence a “presidency for life” goal, eventually that kind of agenda would later and simultaneously be challenged during the Arab spring.
The presidency position has by many been seen as an opportunity to amass wealth and control: not only in Africa but elsewhere across the world, hence among the richest people in these countries are presidents because they have/and had the capacity to influence and direct resources into their direction. For these countries with these kinds of leaders any economic, security and political policy has been for the interest of the regime rather than; for the interest of the state/the people.
Well, what I have come to realize is that the post Arab Spring did not turn out so good after the dictators in the these countries were toppled nothing was left for the state, it has now resulted to sectarian violence, societies calming their time to rule, well may be Samuel Huntington “clash of civilizations “ was right. Well now Gaddafi is dead; Ben Ali is in exile and Mubaraka in prison, but the question asked is could this leaders have managed to tighten the grip for their countries? Maybe not!
Well, Pierre Nkurunziza thinks that he is the man to transform his country Burundi to prosperity, not even the international community could stop him! Leave alone the African union constitutive act that stipulate that “any government that comes to power through unconstitutional means shall not be allowed to participate in the African Union” but what am worried about is that other presidents may use Pierre Nkurunziza case as a reference, now Rwanda wants to reform the constitution to allow the President stay longer.

for our fore-fathers who have made the impossible look so easy we salute them! But let us not live in an era of “presidency for life”

Ironically; while Zimbabwe’s economy shrinks significantly, President Mugabe is mandated to present the image of Africa across continents as chair of the African Union. Well experience is key but what about energy and drive? With that in mind, for our fore-fathers who have made the impossible look so easy we salute them! But let us not live in an era of “presidency for life” nor a spontaneous sequence where people feel excluded, at least not in this day and age.

]]>https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/10/01/presidency-for-life/feed/0lewisndichufor our fore-fathers who have made the impossible look so easy we salute them! But let us not live in an era of “presidency for life” nor a spontaneous sequence where people feel excluded, at least not in this day and age. Is Realism really applicable in Africa? (The Problems of academic gate-keeping)https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/09/23/is-realism-really-applicable-in-africa-the-problems-of-academic-gate-keeping/
https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/09/23/is-realism-really-applicable-in-africa-the-problems-of-academic-gate-keeping/#commentsWed, 23 Sep 2015 16:30:53 +0000http://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/?p=27In international relations theory is used to make sense of the world of international politics, a theory is mainly used to understand, explain and predict the behavior of states in the international system. For instance (why do states go to war?) but come to think of it; are some theories in international relations really applicable in Africa?
Various studies and scholars continue to question the applicability of theories in African international relations, that various theories in international studies neglected the developing world and Africa to be specific. Scholars in the western world are believed to be the ethos or owners of knowledge hence their counterparts in the developing world are consumers of knowledge hence the problem of academic gate-keeping, thus “The politics of knowledge productions”

i met Francis Fukuyama early this year in a conference at Strathmore business school, Nairobi Kenya

Realism focuses on the world super powers for instance the US, UK, Russia and maybe China to mention but a few this countries today are seen as dominant actors in the world stage with the ability to influence and make other actors do what they might have not done , Realism is about power, survivor and self-help.Many would agree that Africa and other developing countries have little to contribute in power dynamics of the international stage, and that Africa has no business in participating in the balance power.
Well on the contrary Africa has had great experience of realism, one good example is the Africa leaders who believe or rather believe in the power of the military purposed to ensure state and regime survivor. The African union mission to Somalia (AMISON) is another great example purposed to ensure regional security with the aim to deal with the threat of terrorism right from its source. The African union peace and security framework is one to reckon with, I mean it even has a military organ called the African stand-by force with the mandate to intervene in ongoing conflicts to a prevent acts of genocide.And of course the ever increasing security and military budgets of African majors countries.
The African style of Realism is unique far different from its traditional form, but it is clear to me that Africa has had its own share,experience and definition of Realism, but what about pan-Africanism and African socialism. Kwame Nkrumah one of the greatest African forefathers of all times and a proponent of pan-Africanism once said “Any meaningful humanism must begin from egalitarianism (equality, fairness, classlessness) and must lead to objectivity chosen policies for safeguarding and sustaining egalitarianism”. Maybe it is time we reclaim the African pride by concentrating on African own theories use them to explain, understand, define and predict the future of Africa.

]]>https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/09/23/is-realism-really-applicable-in-africa-the-problems-of-academic-gate-keeping/feed/1lewisndichui met Francis Fukuyama early this year in a conference at Strathmore business school, Nairobi Kenya Africa’s emancipationhttps://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/09/21/africas-emancipation/
https://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/2015/09/21/africas-emancipation/#commentsMon, 21 Sep 2015 13:22:09 +0000http://lewisonpolicy.wordpress.com/?p=24Walter Rodney 1973 wrote about “How Europe under developed Africa” that the capitalist system made the continent dependent which led to its exploitation; he further noted that Africa in fact contributed to the growth of Europe while its own economy remained in stagnation.
One of the reasons that stand out for Africa’s problematic nature is the 1884 Berlin conference. The creation of artificial and arbitrary borders in Africa did not take into account the ethnic composition, demographic, culture, religious and other local realities. Judicial statehood were recognized legal as state but lacked the ability to fulfill the function of the state, some lacked the empirical character of the state e.g. collection of revenue.
The borders were created on the basis of the usefulness of those who created them, i.e. the African states did not develop naturally as it was for the case of Europe. Ironically the African fore-fathers failed to DE-colonize or re-draw the map of Africa. But most importantly the question is how or rather what are tactics and strategies that have been adopted for Africa’s emancipation and development?
Well, the De-colonization of Africa provided an opportunity to place its self in the global arena, despite the ever present national, regional and global challenges. African has risen into a noticeable player in the global sphere therefore today Africa is viewed in a much more positive terms by policy analysts, observers and investors. With the involvement of China, the Asian tigers and the idea of South-South cooperation has set the tone for new forms of engagement between Africa and the rest of the world.
The dynamics and development of African international relations has been spear-headed by the growing number of the African elite who are becoming increasingly involved in the decision making process, questioning the conception or believes that concern African international relations and foreign policy with big man syndrome.
Africa is increasingly broadening its involvement in greater spheres of social, culture, economic, political and security through bilateral and multilateral platforms for instance WTO , DOHA negotiations and most interesting, is that Africa is engaged in the debate towards the transformation and democratization of the United Nations Security Council.
Given Africa’s negative headlines for example; inter-state conflicts, catastrophic diseases like Ebola, the threat of terrorism, economic stagnation and problems of youth UN-employment. It is easy to discharge the continent as marginalized in international relations, but on the contrary Africa to today is playing an important role in global Affairs. Africa’s headlines may not be so good but the trend lines are remarkable. Well to me that is Africa’s Emancipation and development.
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